Terms Flashcards
Adaptive Life Cycle
The progression of project phases characterized by a willingness to embrace change and involving significant stakeholder interaction with a focus on the incremental release of work, typically every 2 to 4 weeks; uses fixed time and resources; also called agile.
Exam Tip of the Day #1
Confidentiality
The act of not providing certain confidential information to those who should not know about it.
Exam Tip of the Day #2
Path Convergence
A node on a network diagram that indicates the merger of parallel paths; distinguished by an activity with multiple predecessors.
Exam Tip of the Day #3
Market Research
The process of gathering information about customers or markets.
Exam Tip of the Day #4
Bar Chart
A graphical representation of schedule-related information. Typically, schedule activities or work breakdown structure components are displayed vertically on the far left of the chart, dates are displayed horizontally across the top of the chart, and activity durations are displayed as date-placed horizontal bars. Also see Gantt chart.
Exam Tip of the Day #5
Learning Curve Theory
A theory which states that the more of something that is produced, the lower the unit cost of it becomes due to an improvement in efficiency.
Exam Tip of the Day #6
Decision Tree Analysis
A technique used to assess possible responses to a threat or opportunity in order to make the best decision; it involves diagramming the options and notating the expected monetary value (EMV) potential of each option.
Exam Tip of the Day #7
Professional and Social Responsibility
Ethics expected in project managers; includes balancing stakeholder interests and reporting violations.
Exam Tip of the Day #8
Histogram
A graphical representation, in the format of bar chart, that depicts the central tendency, dispersal, and shape of a statistical distribution.
Exam Tip of the Day #9
Tight Matrix
A phrase that describes a war room or close environment for the team; can also be used as a distracter answer on organizational-related questions.
Exam Tip of the Day #10
Status Report
A report that states the current shape or state of the project to date.
Change Log
A list of proposed project modifications and their associated details including description, date, requestor, and status.
Exam Tip of the Day #12
Investment Power
A type of power that involves delaying key decision(s) so enough time passes that stakeholders or other such parties can make a significant time investment in the project.
Exam Tip of the Day #13
Work Performance Information
The evaluation and integration of project execution statistics and measurements gathered from control processes.
Exam Tip of the Day #14
Phase Gate
A review which is conducted at the end of a phase to decide if the project should continue to the next phase, if the project should continue to the next phase with modification, or if the project or program should be terminated.
Exam Tip of the Day #15
Issue Log
A project document that tracks elements that cause stakeholder concern or dissension.
Exam Tip of the Day #16
Risk Tolerance
The level of risk that an individual or organization is willing to permit; also known as risk utility.
Exam Tip of the Day #18
Context Diagrams
A graphical representation of the scope of a business system that includes processes, equipment, and computer systems and indicates the manner in which people and other systems interact with the business system.
Exam Tip of the Day #19
Business Case
A document that attempts to prove the economic feasibility of a business idea, such as a product or service, to justify the project.
Exam Tip of the Day #20
Development Approach
The method (predictive, iterative, incremental, agile, or hybrid) utilized during the project life cycle to produce and elaborate the product, service, or result of the project.
Exam Tip of the Day #21
Work Package
The smallest level of WBS work for which cost and time can be assessed and administered.
Exam Tip of the Day #22
Mirroring
Matching behavior characteristics of another person or group.
Exam Tip of the Day #24
Project Life Cycle
The phases, from initiation through closure, of a project associated with the work of the project, as opposed to being associated with its project management.
Exam Tip of the Day #25
Update
A modification to any deliverable, project management plan component, or project document that has not been subjected to the formal change control process.
Exam Tip of the Day #26
Validation
The process of determining that the results of the project are in compliance with requirements imposed by the customer and appropriate stakeholders and typically involving acceptance by them.
Exam Tip of the Day #27
Plurality
The votes of the largest block in a group when a majority is not required, typically used to denote agreement with a decision.
Exam Tip of the Day #28
Crashing
A compression technique to shorten the duration of the schedule, typically by adding additional resources to critical path activities.
Exam Tip of the Day #29
Float
The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying successor activities or the project completion date.
Exam Tip of the Day #30
Variation
The difference between the baseline and actual project data at a specific point in time.
Exam Tip of the Day #31
Closed Procurements
The written formal notification, from the buyer to the seller, that the contract has been completed; typically completion is dependent on the seller meeting the terms and conditions of the contract.
Exam Tip of the Day #32
Fixed Price Contract
A mutually binding agreement that compensates the seller for goods or services on the basis of a fixed amount identified in the agreement, notwithstanding the seller’s costs.
Exam Tip of the Day #33
Project Calendar
A calendar that indicates working days and shifts available for project activities.
Exam Tip of the Day #34
Sunk Cost
Money that has already been spent on a project; should not be considered when selecting or evaluating a project.
Exam Tip of the Day #35
Quality Report
A project document that addresses quality management issues, recommendations for corrective actions, and a recap of findings from quality control activities; the report may include advice related to the improvement of process, project, and product.A mutually binding agreement that compensates the seller for goods or services on the basis of a fixed amount identified in the agreement, notwithstanding the seller’s costs.
Exam Tip of the Day #36
Risk Owner
The person responsible for the monitoring of a risk and for the determination and implementation of an appropriate risk response strategy.
Exam Tip of the Day #37
Task
An activity to be completed on the project.
Exam Tip of the Day #38
Schedule Baseline
The authorized version of the schedule model that is used as the basis for comparison and can only be modified through a formal change control procedure.
Exam Tip of the Day #39
Cost Aggregation
Adding together the work package cost estimates for high-level WBS components, including control accounts, for the purpose of establishing the value of the total project or the control account work.
Exam Tip of the Day #40
Earned Value (EV)
The value of the work that has been completed as of a specific point in time calculated by multiplying the completion percent of activity by its planned value, then adding the results; also known as the budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP).
Exam Tip of the Day #41
Quality
The degree to which a group of fundamental characteristics satisfies requirements.
Exam Tip of the Day #43
Control Chart
A graphic representation of process data over time that is set against documented control limits and has a center line (mean) to assist in identifying trends.
Exam Tip of the Day #42
Quality
The degree to which a group of fundamental characteristics satisfies requirements.
Exam Tip of the Day #43
Attitude Power
A type of power that can involve using a middle person to negotiate for the project manager.
Exam Tip of the Day #44
Team Management Plan
A component of the resource management plan that delineates the manner and timing in which team members are acquired and released.
Exam Tip of the Day #45
Risk Power
A type of power that uses calculated risks in negotiations to achieve project goals.
Exam Tip of the Day #46
Execute
Perform the tasks of the project management plan, create the project deliverables, and generate work performance information.
Exam Tip of the Day #47
Intellectual Property
Ideas and concepts created by an individual or company, typically eligible for copyright or patent, thus providing ownership properties.
Exam Tip of the Day #48
Monitor and Control Project Work
The process of monitoring, evaluating, and governing performance progress as detailed in accordance with the project management plan.
Exam Tip of the Day #49
Plan Schedule Management
(Schedule Process - Primary Function)
Provides “how to” direction to the team regarding schedule management and produces the Schedule Management Plan.
Rice Class 8
Define Activities
(Schedule Process - Primary Function)
Decomposes the scope of the project into project schedule
activities.
Rice Class 8
Sequence Activities
(Schedule Process - Primary Function)
Sequences the activities to optimize the schedule.
Rice Class 8
Estimate Activity Durations
(Schedule Process - Primary Function)
Estimates the timeframes required to complete the schedule activities.
Rice Class 8
Develop Schedule
(Schedule Process - Primary Function)
Creates the project schedule and the schedule baseline.
Rice Class 8
Control Schedule
(Schedule Process - Primary Function)
Maintains and controls the schedule baseline.
Rice Class 8
Lead
(Schedule)
The amount of time a successor activity can be advanced with respect to the controlling predecessor. It is represented by a (-).
In a network diagram the Successor activity is the one that moves relative to the predecessor.
Rice Class 8
Lag
(Schedule)
The amount of time a successor activity is delayed with respect to the Controlling predecessor. It is represented by a (+).
In a network diagram the Successor activity is the one that moves relative to the predecessor.
Rice Class 8
Plan Cost Management
(Cost Process - Primary Function)
Provides “how to” direction to the team regarding cost management and produces the Cost Management Plan.
Rice Class 8
Estimate Costs
(Cost Process - Primary Function)
Estimates the costs required to achieve the project objectives.
Rice Class 8
Determine Budget
(Cost Process - Primary Function)
Develops a budget for the project and the Cost Baseline.
Rice Class 8
Control Costs
(Cost Process - Primary Function)
Maintains and controls the cost baseline.
Rice Class 8
Plan Resource Management
(Resource Process - Primary Function)
Provides “how to” direction to the team regarding resource management and produces the Resource Management Plan.
Rice Class 8
Estimate Activity Resources
(Resource Process - Primary Function)
Estimates the resources required for the project based on schedule activities.
Rice Class 8
Acquire Resources
(Resource Process - Primary Function)
Acquires both human and physical resources for the project.
Rice Class 8
Develop Team
(Resource Process - Primary Function)
Ensures team develops to be able to perform the work of the
project.
Rice Class 8
Manage Team
(Resource Process - Primary Function)
Manages the project team resources.
Rice Class 8
Control Resources
(Resource Process - Primary Function)
Monitors planned resource usage and initiates changes, if required.
Rice Class 8
Stakeholder Register
A project document that lists stakeholder information including name, role, assessment, and classification.
Exam Tip of the Day #50
Plan Risk Management
The process of determining the methods that will be used to execute project risk management activities.
Exam Tip of the Day #51
Communication Technology
The tools, systems, and computer applications utilized in the dissemination of information to project stakeholders.
Exam Tip of the Day #52
Network Diagram
A schematic of logical relationships that make up the flow of activities on the project; always drawn from left to right.
Exam Tip of the Day #53
Time and Material Contract (T&M)
A mutually binding agreement that compensates the seller for goods or services on the basis of fixed hourly rates for labor and the actual costs of materials; represents a composite of a cost-reimbursable contract (cost of materials can rise) and a fixed-price contract (labor cost are agreed on by buyer and seller before the start of the contract).
Exam Tip of the Day #54
Project Procurement Management
The processes required to purchase or acquire any products, services, or results from a source outside of the project team.
Exam Tip of the Day #55
Sam and Tracy are running their string theory project. They are in the process of monitoring project communications with the various stakeholders. This has been a challenge given it is a global project with many virtual employees. Which of the following is a tool and technique they will use with the monitor communications process?
(A) Communications management plan
(B) Change requests
(C) Work performance information
(D) Project management information system
Correct Answer: (D) Project management information system
Explanation: The tools and and techniques for the Monitor Communications process are: expert judgment, project management information systems, data analysis, stakeholder engagement assessment matrix, interpersonal and team skills, observation/conversation, and meetings.
Exam Tip of the Day #56
Agreements
A document or communication that defines the intentions of a project; examples include a contract, a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and letters of agreement.
Exam Tip of the Day #56
Root Cause Analysis
An analytical technique used to ascertain the fundamental reason a variance, defect, or risk exists.
Exam Tip of the Day #57
Fallback Plan
The plan that will supersede the original plan if it is not effective.
Exam Tip of the Day #58
Process
An ordered series of activities executed to create a product, result, service, or output.
Exam Tip of the Day #59
Project Phase
An aggregation of logically related activities that results in the completion of a deliverable or deliverables.
Exam Tip of the Day #60
Develop Project Charter
The process of evolving the document that authorizes the project and authorizes the project manager to employ organizational resources to do the work of the project.
Exam Tip of the Day #61
Enterprise
A company, business, or other formal structure that encompasses a business function.
Exam Tip of the Day #62
Plan Communications Management
(Communications Process)
Primary Function: Provides “how to” direction to the team regarding communications and produces the Communications Management Plan.
Rice Class 9
Manage Communications
(Communications Process)
Primary Function: Implements the communications management plan.
Rice Class 9
Monitor Communications
(Communications Process)
Primary Function: Monitors effectiveness of communications and makes adjustments, as necessary.
Rice Class 9
Communications Channels Formula
CC = [n * (n – 1)] / 2
CC = Communications Channel
n = number of people
Rice Class 9
Communications Planning
(Steps)
1) Determine who? (from Stakeholder register)
2) Identify communication needs of all stakeholders.
3) Determine methods (push, pull or interactive).
4) Review OPAs (lessons learned, historical info, templates).
5) Identify challenges.
6) Develop a communications plan.
7) Approve and publish the plan.
Rice Class 9
Managing Communications
▪ Implement the communications management plan
▪ Confirm communications is effective and feedback is received
▪ Monitor communications and make adjustments, as necessary
▪ Be alert to stakeholder adds or changes
▪ Changes to other aspects of the project may impact communications
(e.g., scope change)
Rice Class 9
Quality is…
(Concept)
“conformance to requirements or specifications.”
“The degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements”
- Emphasis on Prevention over Inspection
- Continuous Improvement
- Management Responsibility
- Conformance to Requirements & Fitness for Use
- Keep Failures out of the Process / Keep failures out of the hands of the Customer
Q = Quality of the Product + Quality of the Project
Rice Class 9
Plan Quality
(Quality Concept)
Key Inputs:
- Project Charter
- Quality Policies
- Project Plan
- Process Assets
Output:
- Quality Management Plan
Rice Class 9
Manage Quality
(Quality Concept)
Process Focused
Key Outputs:
- Test & Eval Docs
- Quality Reports
- Process Improvement
- Change Requests
Rice Class 9
Control Quality
(Quality Concept)
Product Focused
Key Outputs:
- Verified Deliverables
- Quality Measurements
- Change Requests
Rice Class 9
Team Members
(Key Concept - Quality Responsibilities)
Responsible for the quality of their own work.
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Project Manager
(Key Concept - Quality Responsibilities)
Responsible for the quality standards on the project.
Rice Class 9
Senior/Executive Management
(Key Concept - Quality Responsibilities)
Responsible for the quality standards at the company.
Rice Class 9
Grade versus Quality
(Quality - Key Concept)
▪ Grade is the category assigned to products or results to indicate similar functionality but different technical specifications. More functions/features = higher grade.
▪ Quality is defined as the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements.
▪ Low or poor quality is always a problem, but low grade is not necessarily a problem.
Rice Class 9
5 levels of Quality Management
(Quality - Key Concept)
▪ Least effective: customers find the defects, leads to litigation, recalls, warranty issues, etc.
▪ Fix defects before they get to the customer; high appraisal and rework costs
▪ Use Quality Assurance (QA) to adjust the processes, not just repair defects
▪ Incorporate quality into planning and design
▪ Most effective: build a quality culture throughout the organization
Rice Class 9
Quality
(Key Documents)
▪ Quality Management Plan (from Plan Quality Management)
▪ Test and evaluation documents (from Manage Quality)
Rice Class 9
Plan Quality Management
(Quality Process)
Primary Function: Provides “how to” direction to the team regarding quality and produces the Quality Management Plan.
Rice Class 9
Manage Quality
(Quality Process)
Primary Function: Implements the quality management plan and provides ongoing
management of quality.
Rice Class 9
Control Quality
(Quality Process)
Primary Function: Verifies the quality of deliverables.
Rice Class 9
Quality Management Plan
▪ Describes how the quality policy will be implemented
▪ Provides input to the overall project plan
▪ Contains
̶ Quality policy
̶ Organizational structure
̶ Responsibilities
̶ Processes and procedures
̶ Metrics
̶ Resources needed to implement
Rice Class 9
Quality Tools - Quality Audits
- Structured and independent audit of quality policies, processes and procedures
- Can be scheduled or random
- Usually conducted by a team external to the project (PMO or external group)
Rice Class 9
Cost Management Plan
▪ The Cost Management Plan describes how the project costs will be planned, estimated, structured, and controlled.
▪ Components
- Units of measurement
- Level of precision
- Level of accuracy
- Links to cost procedures
- Thresholds
- Performance measurements
- Reporting formats
Rice Class 8
Estimate Costs - Expert Judgement
▪ Experts can be individuals or groups
▪ Knowledge of internal cost processes
▪ Specialized knowledge in industry, discipline and cost estimating techniques
Rice Class 8
Estimate Costs – Analogous Cost Estimating
- Estimating using historical costs of similar projects
- Also known as top-down estimating
- Expert judgment can help validate the estimate
- Less time consuming and costly but less accurate
- More reliable if previous projects are very similar to current project and project team members have the needed expertise
Rice Class 8
Estimate Costs – Parametric Cost Estimating
- Uses statistical relationship between historical data and other variables
- Can produce higher levels of accuracy depending upon the sophistication and underlying data built into the model
- Examples of parametric measures are:
▪ Square footage used in construction
▪ Electrical cabling priced by linear foot
▪ Highway construction by the mile
Rice Class 8
Quality Tools – Statistical Sampling
Statistical Sampling - Small sample from a group can project what the total group will be like.
Advantages:
- Less product damage
- Quicker decisions
- Fewer inspection errors
Disadvantages:
- Unrepresentative sample
- Less information
Rice Class 9
Quality - Exam Tips
▪ Know the value of the quality management plan
▪ Know that manage quality is a continuous process and the umbrella for continuous improvement
▪ Understand how to use quality tools
▪ Know that control quality also validates approved changes
▪ Know the difference between manage quality and control quality
▪ Know the difference between control quality and validate scope
Control Quality ➔ Verified deliverables ➔ Validate Scope ➔ Accepted deliverables
Rice Class 9
3 Components of Risk / Score
The Event
Impact
Probability
Risk Score: R = I * P
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Realized Risk
- A risk threat or opportunity that has actually occurred
- A realized negative risk is often called an issue
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Risk – Key Documents
▪ Risk Management Plan (output from “Plan Risk Management”)
▪ Risk Register (output from “Identify Risks”, iteratively developed)
▪ Risk Report (output from “Identify Risks”, iteratively developed)
Rice Class 9
Plan Risk Management
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Provides “how to” direction to the team regarding risk management and produces the Risk Management Plan.
Rice Class 9
Identify Risks
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Identify the risks to project objectives and create the initial risk register.
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Perform Qualitative Analysis
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Rank risks and update the risk register.
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Perform Quantitative Analysis
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Analyze high priority risks and assess probability of achieving project objectives. Update the risk register.
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Plan Risk Responses
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Develop risk responses and update the risk register.
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Implement Risk Responses
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Implement the planned risk responses.
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Monitor Risks
(Risk Process)
Primary Function: Monitor risks throughout the project duration, updating the risk register and initiating changes to the plan as needed
Rice Class 9
Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A document signed by the owner of intellectual property and those who view it when it is not generally exposed to the public, or if it is a new idea, before it is displayed to the public.
Exam Tip of the Day #63
Team Charter Components
- Team Values
- Communication Guidelines
- Decision-Making Criteria
- Conflict Resolution
- Meeting Guidelines
- Team Agreements
Brain Dump - Rice
Knowledge Areas - 10
- Integration Management (7)
- Scope Management (6)
- Schedule Management (6)
- Cost Management (4)
- Quality Management (3)
- Resource Management (6)
- Communications Management (3)
- Risk Management (7)
- Procurement Management (3)
- Stakeholder Management (4)
Brain Dump - Rice
Process Groups - 5
- Initiating (2)
- Planning (24)
- Executing (10)
- Monitoring & Controlling (12)
- Closing (1)
Brian Dump - Rice
Initiating - 2
(Process Group)
- Develop Project Charter
- Identify Stakeholders
Brain Dump - Rice
Planning - 24
(Process Group)
- Develop Project Management Plan
- Plan Scope Management
- Collect Requirements
- Define Scope
- Create WBS
- Plan Schedule Management
- Define Activities
- Sequence Activities
- Estimate Activity Durations
- Develop Schedule
- Plan Cost Management
- Estimate Costs
- Determine Budget
- Plan Quality Management
- Plan Resource Management
- Estimate Activity Resources
- Plan Communications Management
- Plan Risk Management
- Identify Risks
- Perform Qualitative Analysis
- Perform Quantitative Analysis
- Plan Risk Responses
- Plan Procurement Management
- Plan stakeholder Engagement
Brain Dump - Rice
Executing - 10
(Process Group)
- Direct and Manage Project Work
- Manage Project Knowledge
- Manage Quality
- Acquire Resources
- Develop Team
- Manage Team
- Manage Communications
- Implement Risk Responses
- Conduct Procurements
- Manage Stakeholder Engagement
Brain Dump - Rice
Monitoring & Controlling - 12
(Process Group)
- Monitor & Control Project Work
- Perform Integrated Change Control
- Validate Scope
- Control Scope
- Control Schedule
- Control Costs
- Control Quality
- Control Resources
- Monitor Communications
- Monitor Risks
- Control Procurement
- Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
Brain Dump - Rice